Gone Fishing:
Good Morning Middle America, your King of Simple News is on the air.
I’m going to be out of pocket for the next eight days…fishing. When I return I will begin to wind down my website. After three years and 1100 articles, I’ve said all that I can say.
If you have not done so, please consider printing off my Show-Stopper booklet that is available at the top of this site.
I wanted to post up an article during my absence that I believe impressively demonstrates that we knew beyond the shadow of a doubt that the Great Depression would repeat itself should we fail to learn from history. We failed to learn from history.
I often have to ground myself in reality, lest I get caught up in all the diversions that our leadership and main stream news dish up daily. To do so, I go back and read the boring lessons of history and the brilliant foundational material that was written by those who had been there, done that, and remembered most of it.
One such name has graced these pages many times and that is Leonard Ayres who wrote, “The Chief Cause of this and Other Depressions.”
Boring stuff? Not really. Here is a reminder of what Mr. Ayres tried to tell us in 1934. That is, he tried to tell those who wished to forgo another Great Depression, which apparently did not include our Federal Government.
“There is no simple legislative formula by which business activity can be stabilized in a capitalistic economy, so that the fluctuations of booms and depressions will be ironed out.
“Stability of business activity depends on the stability of the fundamental conditions under which business operates. Operating in a stable and predictable environment is the key to our economic woes.” Mr. Ayres so well stated, “That kind of fundamental stability is the product of the drab and undramatic exercise of national integrity and self-restraint.”
Following are the points that Mr. Ayers suggested that would keep our economy on an even keel. He begins, “It involves persistent adherence to at least seven national policies.”
1. Peace, and the enduring prospect of peace. (So much for that one).
2. A sound money in which both our citizens and those of other countries have full confidence. (He’s gotta be kidding).
3. Balanced national budgets. (SAY WHAT! How else would we fund a false economy)?
4. A sound banking system, independent of political influence. (Right).
5. The limitation of bank credit to loans fully justified by the demonstrated earning power of the assets on which the loans are based. (Where is this man’s head? What’s next, down payments)?
6. The restriction of speculation financed by credit. (Is he crazy? We live on speculation).
7. Such negative regulation of business operations as experience may have proved necessary to prevent abuses, dishonest competition, and exploitation, but with a minimum of positive regulation designed to control wage and price competition, or to favor special group interest. (I bet he was talking about banks and the auto industry).
That Mr. Ayres was one sharp cookie huh? He also makes the statement, “The fact that is extremely difficult to induce a business recovery by increasing the purchasing power of the individual consumers is being impressively demonstrated in this depression.”
Hank Paulson and Barack Obama should have read Mr. Ayres book before they said that the rebates would create 600,000 jobs. Or, they could also have studied the recent history of the Japanese. But then, we are smarter than history or the Japanese.
As a people in general, we believe that we are sooooo powerful (and gullible), that our leadership can snooker the natural sciences on top of defying all of Mr. Ayres advice. How are we doing so far?
That is the problem ya know? We are attempting to push a rope and physics flatly says, “No.” In short, anything that can’t go on forever; doesn’t.
What can go on forever is a simple and pleasurable existence that embraces quality of life over quantity of life. “Not everything that counts can be counted, and not everything that can be counted counts.” ― Albert Einstein
Have a great next week without me nagging at you to live simple, live free, and live well.
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Mike,
Your writings have been invaluable in helping me get a grasp of what is going on in this world. The idea that I won’t be able to read your comments on a daily basis is very startling. This site is a treasure and and I would just like you to know that you are truly appreciated. Enjoy your fishing trip!
Robert,
Thank you so much for you kind words. I’ll catch a big one just for you!
Mike, I echo Roberts comments. What you have contributed to my understanding of what is happening in the world and how important it is to prepare for a simpler life is greatly appreciated. You will be missed.
Best to all.
Dear Mike,
I totally understand why you are done. I am proud of you for acknowledging that you have said all that you need to say (our politicians could take a lesson from that thought!).
The Country Lady will miss you - you are a family friend whom we visit and discuss at length during the day. We will miss all your friends who have added so much to our discussions with their thoughtful comments.
That said, I made a solid commitment during my personal retreat a few weeks ago to become a more positive person. I realize that the time I spend dwelling on the dismal state of our country, the daily news scandals, the wars, and the refusal of our leadership and populace to see reality was adding a huge dose of cynicism to my outlook. When I concentrate on our family, our lovely gardens and orchard, the endless entertainment provided by the goats, chickens, guinea, ducks, cats and dogs; then I am filled with joy and optimism.
You have done your part with wisdom, knowledge and humor to warn those who have ears to hear. Is it okay to download your columns for future reference when your predictions are all coming true?
Thanks and God bless you and your family for giving so selflessly to all of us.
Mike,
You’ve become a friend and advisor in the time I’ve been following your blog. I do hope we can keep in touch, at least when you pop up as a commenter on another blog (I don’t think for an instant that you will not still have something to say). At least, I hope not.
Best wishes for a great fishing trip and in the future.
Clyde
Wow, Mike,
That’s shocking news - your shutting down, that is. I can truly feel the loss in my heart. I understand your rationale, however. Once one has said all they have to say, there’s little point in saying more. Besides, these days one has to wonder if anyone other than a handful of people are listening.
It’s troubling to accept that 90% of people are oblivious to what’s going on in the world, preferring to immerse themselves in the soothing rays of the TV. Most of these people don’t even want to know what’s going on - I know people like that, who have told me exactly that: they don’t want to know what’s going on.
I would not care about the people who feel that way except for the fact that their apathy, combined with their ignorant voting practices are dragging all of us down with them.
In such a climate your voice of reason has been a welcome beacon that I will miss dearly.
Dave - Erstwhile Urban Wanderer
Mike…
Been a pleasure, and a valuable experience to read your book, and your articles.. I think you have helped make a difference..
You are doing a great job, and it’s appreciated.. I also am sure you aren’t done.. Just progressing in a different direction..
Sounds like a great time to catch some fish.. Wish you all the best..
Tnx.. WmA..
Mike,
You’re one of the first blogs I have ever read, pertaining to these issues. I will miss your view to crucial subjects.
Your approach helps crack the Da Vinci code of bullshit that gets thrown at us. Which in my opinion, is one of the biggest threats to this country. Whittling down the truth is important, people like you and all other contributors to this blog will be missed.
On that note I wish you and the wife the best and good luck to you!
Mike,
I’m still deciding whether or not to thank you for teaching me more than I ever knew about economics and related politics in a way that even I can understand. We can’t fix what we don’t acknowledge. Someone said, “the only thing more painfull than learning from our mistakes ,is not learning from them.” That’s what you’ve been trying to tell people, and at least some of us
listened.
Having said that, I’m sticking my head back in the sand or better still, just follow The Country Lady’s example.
Good luck fishing and I’ll see you down the road. Larry T.
WOW!… What a bummer!
I just got here early this this month or late last month and thoroughly enjoy your commentary. That’s my luck. When I was a kid I always missed the ice-cream truck too.
Thanks for your work, Mike, and please leave your website open for a while so I can, more than likely, agree with past writings.
Tight lines!
Rob
Well, we all need time alone to think and try to make sense of the world around us, and to do this away from everything else. That said, Mike, I can’t believe you are shutting down for good. You are a voice for reason and logic and the people who comment, seem so decent and stable (no foul language). This is so rare today. Please come back, rested and wanting to continue. Your voice is needed.
Mike, you are a rare and endangered breed of cat. We humans are animals that live in herds. We need to belong and have the approval of those in authority. Few are willing to risk being different in a substantive way. Even fewer have the intelligence to understand what is happening around them and the courage to disagree with the most cherished illusions of a corrupt and dying society.
You exhibit exceptional intellect and have used your analytical skills to see through the web of lies and deceptions perpetrated on the masses by a morally and intellectually bankrupt oligarchy and plutocracy. You have exposed some of our most cherished beliefs for what they are – total nonsense. You have done it with humor and made it compelling and understandable.
It takes courage to run against the tide of mindless and uninformed public opinion and confront a near hopeless situation without going into denial, and without losing hope.
Thank you for sharing your insights. If nothing else, it is comforting to know that here are others; like yourself, and your readers, who are intelligent and ethical, who refuse to embrace ignorance and greed as a life-style.
Thank you for taking the time, energy and initiative to write this great blog.
Mike,
There is an old saying in these parts, “Common Sense is increasingly uncommon”. And so it is. Thank you for being a fountain of common sense these past few years.
It took a lot of your time and effort to write your book and keep this blog going. You have more than done your fair share to inform the unenlightened and you deserve some well needed fishing time.
I look forward to your (or others who post here) input on any other sites or information sources that are valuable. I highly recommend The Automatic Earth, for one.
All the best to you Mike. I hope you change your mind after a spell and start posting again in the future. I am certain there will be interesting developments coming down the pike worhty of discussion and comment.
Mike,
I read your book (even got a signed one from you not too long ago at the fly in) and it should be required reading. I found this blog through the book marker that came with the book so I haven’t been reading it for too long. Its been great and I too am going to miss it.
I do have a suggestion that would be great for those of us who haven’t been reading it for too long and haven’t had the time to go back through all the past posts yet. Burn the entire sight onto a CD or DVD (whichever it will fit on) so we can buy one from you and dig around the posts after the sight is gone.
I’m not sure how hard it would be to do but it would be great. Bet there would be more than a few who would want one.
Mike, I haven’t commented in a while but stop by daily. I want to let you know you will be sorely missed.
In addition to printing out the show stoppers, anyone who hasn’t read your book should get it and read it while they can. Great read!
Best wishes to you and yours, Karen
Mike,
You will be missed. Even though I do not get to read your blog daily I usually take a day and catch up with all your articles.
I really enjoyed your book and your blog.
Who will replace you?
Where can we find a local boy to trust?
Joe
Mike,
I keep saying ” If I only could have read your book a year earlier” you have been so right on, it is scary.
Thanks for your insights they have been real and truthful and that is rare in this crazy world we live in.
I hope you will rethink this and possibly just change it to a once a week thought.
Thanks again for your commen sense.
Scott
Is there a simple means of arranging and extracting your daily blogs into groups, selected by topic? A different topic for each chapter, maybe.
I would think that the content of this arrangement would make a great book (reference / entertainment / just good old non-fiction factual reading). I would be willing to help, financially towards this end, if you were interested? -bb
This is SAD news…I just found you and this site a year ago or so…not near long enough…this has been a great source of ‘truthful’ information…BUT, we have had a chance to learn from youand benefit from your guidance, advice, facts, thoughts, common sense, etc., you have shared the best you have, and I thank you for that gift. I hope you change your mind…but I also realize, ALL of us need to be about our business…there are many signs and indicators that more trouble is on its way…all of us have been exposed to enough information to make a plan and try to get in a position to make it through….thanks to all you have done for all of us to help us along the way….may God continue the multiple blessings in your life and all those you help.
“The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely one fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president.”
This statement sums up the predicament we are in very well. And it becomes fairly easy to understand that we cannot expect anyone to come to our rescue, since we are the ones demanding a physically impossible lifestyle. bb
Mike,
If you’re going to make this weeks edition send in your column asap. Also let your readership know where to find you as I’m sure they’d like to continue hearing your thoughts.
Ernest
Wow, what can I say? Thank all of you soooooo much for your nice comments…and just when I thought no one was paying any attention!
Assuming a pleasant, low intake, self sustaining lifestyle has never been more important than it is today. I was reminded of that time after time during the week that we spent in the wilderness areas of the Rocky Mountains.
I’ll continue the wind down of the site with a few major thoughts that I consider most important. “Don’t get caught majoring in the minors.”